Molded pulp article



Feb. 23, 1932. M. P. CHAPLIN MOLDED PULP ARTICLE Filed March '7, 1928 INVENTOR' Merle F? C/mpZz 72 BY! N H k ATTORNEJS Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MERLE I. GHAPLIN; OF WATERVILLE, MAINE, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

FIDELITY TRUST COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE MOLDED PULP ARTICLE Application filed March 7,

This invention relates to containers and covers therefor.

The invention relates more particularly to a one-piece container and a cover so relatively p constructed and arranged that these articles can be made or formed of suitable plastic material, such as paper pulp, by molding.

The invention has for its salient object to provide a cover and container so relatively to constructed and arranged that the cover can be pressed or snapped into the container and will be securely retained therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container and cover so constructed that they can be formed by molding and so rela tively dimensioned that the cover can be sccured to the container by pressing the cover into the top of the container and when so secured will be held against movement relative an to the container.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following specification taken in connection with the drawings, which form a part of this application, and in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section showin the cover and container prior to the insertlon of the cover in the top of the container; and

Fig. 2 is. an enlarged sectional elevation showing the interengaging portions of the cover and container after the cover has been inserted in the upper end of the container.

The invention briefly described consists of a container having an inwardly extending flange at the upper end thereof and a cover so constructed that the outer edge portion thereof will snap under the flange and retain the cover in position.

Further details of the invention will appear from the following description.

In the form of the invention illustrated there is shown a container 10, preferably formed in one-piece by molding, and having an outwardly flared upper end portion 11 and 4 an inwardly extending flange 12 which projects inwardly over the upper end of the flared portion 11.

The cover 15 is shown as having an upwardly and outwardly flared edge portion 16 and particular attention is directed to the fact 1928. Serial No. 259,712.

that the outside diameter a" of the edge portion 16 of the cover is slightly greater than the inside diameter y of the flared portion 11 of the container disposed beneath the flange 12. The cover is shown at 18 as bowed upwardly,

V hen the cover is to be secured to the con- 'tainer it is pressed inwardly until the outwardly flared edge portion 16 snaps beneath the flange 12 of the container. When the cover has been so positioned in the top of the container pressure will be directed upwardly or in the direction of the arrow a in Fig. 2 due to the flared interengaging portions of the cover and container and pressure will also be directed laterally or in the direction of the arrow Z) in Fig. 2 since the diameter w is normally greater than the diameter y and also due to the flared interengaging portions.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that the cover will be firmly and securely positioned in the container and will be held against upward or downward relative movement with reference to the container.

Although one specific embodiment of the invention has been particularly shown and described, it will be understood that the invention is capable of modification and that changes in the construction and in the arrangement of the various cooperating parts may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, as expressed in the following claims.

WVhat I claim is:

1. A container having an inwardly direct ed flange at the upper end thereof, and a cover having an upwardly extending edge portion adapted to snap under said flange, the outside diameter of the edge portion of the cover being greater than the inside diameter of the container beneath the flangethereby to frictionally retain said edge portion against the flange.

2. A container having an outwardly flared upper end portion and an inwardly directed flange at the upper end thereof, the flange forming an acute angle with the flared portion and a cover having an upwardly extending edge portion adapted to snap under said flange, the diameter of the cover at the edge being greater than the diameter of the flared portion whereby said edge portion will wedge in the acute angle. 3. A container having an outwardly flared end portion terminating in an inwardly extending flange overhanging said flared portion, and a cover having an upwardly flared edge portion of steeper flare and of greater diameter than the diameter and flare of said flared end portion of the container engageable with said flared portion of the container beneath said overhanging flange with a wedging action which is the component of a pressure directed upwardly against said overhanging flange from below, and a pressure directed outwardly against said flared portion of the container. from within. I 4. A container having an outwardly flared end portion terminating in an inwardly extending flange overhanging said flared por tion, and a'cover having an arched top and a reversely directed edge portion of steeper flare and of greater diameter than the diameter and flare of said flared end portion of the container engageable with said flared portion of the container beneath said over hanging flange with a wedging actionwhich is the component of a pressure directed upwardly against said overhanging flange from below and a pressure directed outwardly against said flared portion of the container from within.

5. In combination with a molded fibre contamer having an outwardly flared resilient mouth provided with an inwardly extending flange, a resilient molded fibre cover having an integral continuous upwardly flared edge of greater diameter and of steeper flare than the said mouth and compressible thereby on but expansible on release to interlock entry therewith.

6. A one-piece, integral, molded container havmg an outwardl flared upper end portion and a reinforcing flange at the upper end thereof, said flange having an inwardly d1- rected portion forming an acute angle with the flared portion'of the container and a circumferential, outwardly directed portion merging into the wall thereof.

f7. fibrous container including a wall termmating in a stiff and ri id mouth, said mouth including an inwar ly extending an-' nulus constituting both an internal strengthening and stiifening reinforcement for .the container mouthand an overhanging locking 8. A fibrous container of molded pulp having a side wall of uniform thickness term1- nating in a stiff and rigid mouth, said mouth provided with both internal and external annular reinforcements, said reinforcements including an inwardly extending portion pr0- jecting interiorly of the container mouth and an outwardly extending portion projecting exteriorly of the container mouth, coplanar with said inwardly extending portion.

9. A fibrous container havin a side wall terminating in a stiif and rigi mouth, said mouth provided with both internal and external annular reinforcements, said reinforcements including an inwardly extending portion projecting interiorly of the container mouth and an outwardly extending portion projecting exteriorly of the container mouth, coplanar with said inwardly extending portion. I

'- 10. A fibrous container having a side wall terminating at its upper end in a horizontally disposed stiffening portion constituting both an internal and an external annular reinforcement for the container month, one of said reinforcements extending interiorly of the container mouth and the other reinforcement extending exteriorily of the container mouth, and said reinforcements combinedly strengthening and stiffening the container mouth against both internal and external collapsing stresses.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of February, 1928.

- MERLE P. GHAPLIN.

flange beneath which a cover of greater diametc; than the interior diameter of'the'mouth at said flange is adapted frictionally to be lodged and said annulus extending outwardly beyond the container wall as an external strengthenin and stiffening reinforcement for the container mouth disposed in substantially the same plane as said internal strengthening and stiffening reinforcement. 

